Rahane credits Dravid for his success

He has been trying to establish himself at the international level, but Ajinkya Rahane is not really losing his sleep over selection in the Indian cricket team and is happy focusing on his game only.

"I don't think much about selection, my focus is just on the controllable. I just focus on my game and work hard to improve," said Rahane, who represents Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

"I don't have to prove anything, I play cricket because it is my passion," the youngster added.

Rahane credited his recent success in the IPL to the team mentor and role model, Rahul Dravid.

"I have learnt a lot from Dravid. Even after achieving a high in his career he has never gone out of way, how he conducts himself and handles himself is really great to see," Rahane said on the sidelines of a function in New Delhi on Friday.

"I had a lot of discussion with him during the camp ahead of the IPL, he advised me not to think about the numbers and just enjoy the game and that has really worked well in my favour," the Mumbai lad added.

The batsman has so far scored 332 runs in this IPL at a strike rate of over 140, with his best being the unbeaten 103 against Royal Challengers Bangalore at M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Rahane, who likes to play with a straight bat, meanwhile said that he didn't feel any pressure in adopting to different versions of the game.

"If you have good technique you can adopt to all three formats of the game," he said.

Asked why he avoids playing the switch hits and the scoops, like Kevin Pietersen and AB de Villiers, the 23-year-old said, "I don't want to copy anyone, I just play the game my way and probably I have not felt the need to play an unorthodox shot so far."

And on being asked about the mantra behind the team's success despite the absence of some big names, Rahane said, "Cricket is a team game. A single individual can't win you a game. Besides Dravid has maintained a great balance in the side so far."

James Anderson and Stuart Broad reduced the West Indies to 84 for four at lunch on the first day of the second Test at Trent Bridge here on Friday, as the tourists suffered another collapse.
But Shivnarine Chanderpaul, officially the world's best batsman, was still there on 19 not out after defying England's attack for more than 10 hours during West Indies' five-wicket defeat in the first Test at Lord's.

Murali Vijay became the first Indian to hammer two centuries in the Indian Premier League as Chennai Super Kings stormed into final with an 86-run win over Delhi Daredevils on Friday.
The opener cracked four sixes and 15 fours in his quickfire 58-ball 113 as defending champions Chennai posted a commanding 222-5 off their 20 overs before dismissing Delhi for 136 at the Chidambaram stadium in Chennai.